Nexik’s Baduk

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Star point is one of the first moves one play learn to play in corner. Beginners start with this because it is easy to found it. On the board it is marked by dot. Unfortunately when one strength grow up, it is more clear that using it isn’t easy task. Many stronger player said that if you’re playing star point you must be flexible. Of course it is right, but it’s easier to said than to do. I think this 5 principles will help you understanding the issue of playing flexible with star points.

Don’t overlook opportunity of playing pincer

In situation from Dia.1 white must to play 1, because it is good combination of pincer and two space extension on the side. After this black will play at san-san and game will turn into territory vs moyo game.

If white will miss white 1 in Dia. 1 and play 1 on Dia.2 he will suffer a big lost after black 4. This give black very comfortable situation on the bottom side and white marked stone are very weak. Even if white will play extension to O3 his group will be on severe attack.

Of course after black 2 on Dia.2 white can play pincer at 3 on Dia.3, but then black will play 4 forcing white 5. More or less black position is similar to Dia.1 but white lost his chance to build moyo on bottom side and also lost sente, so black is able to play on big point with black 6.

Don’t be in hurry

This time in Dia.1 white play very calm move in answer to black marked stone. After this black play 2-4 building territorial framework on left side. It looks to be very comfortable position for black, but the in fact it isn’t. Black shape is very thin and invasion at A and B will be very big problem in future.

This diagram show that in opening there is no hurry to play pincer in opponent framework. In fact playing pincer will only help black so he could start fight in comfortable surroundings. In go if your don’t have weak group it is very hard for your opponent to transform his territory framework into real territory.

Block from more valuable side

In situation when opponent enter your corner with 3-3, you must decide to clock from one side. The first question is which side is more valuable. To answer this question is easier to ask some simplest question like:

1. On which side I have more stones?
2. Is stones in this side are on 4th or 3rd postion?
3. If I block from this side would I be able to extend my moyo ?

If you have on one side extra stones on 4th line and there is big chance to extend this framework to huge size, then you could not hesitate and just block from this side. Of course this is only theoretical situation. In real game the situation is more complex but remembering this 3 question will help you to make proper decision.

If black would black at 2 in Dia.2 he will suffer a lot after white 10. His marked stone now is in wrong place. Now it don’t make any territorial framework and even it turn into very weak group with F17 stones.

5-5 aims for influence not for territory

This diagram is from pro game from 14 August 2003 between Lee Sedol and Mok Jinseok. After white 1 Lee Sedol play forcing move at 2 and then play at 4 to utilize 5-5 stone for influence. There is another approach to 5-5 stone but i think it is wrong. Playing first in r4 and then play at 4. This kind of approach is little questionable because if you play 5-5 you should aim for influence not for territory.

Be aware of counter attack

In the end I want to give advice for players, who will approach star point. White 1 is standard approach to star point, but then black invade with 2. If you don’t know a lot of joseki this kind of situation can be very hard for you, so before playing any loose extension you must prepare spare plan. White 3 for black 4 and then capturing one stone with 5 is exactly this kind of plan.

This is not only problem for loose extension but always when you attack your opponent you must be aware of counter attack. Go can be complicated in this kind of position so my advice is to not attack if you don’t have strong position or you’re not behind and need to play complicated stuff.

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